CHI-Pads For Girls Project

Abstract

A girl absent from school due to menstruation for four days of every 28 day cycle loses minimum learning days, the equivalent to two and a half weeks of learning every school term. This means that many girls in slum and under-privileged communities are more likely to skip school when they have their periods or simply drop out completely. Worst yet, the natural cycle of menstruation has made the production of sanitary pads a viable for-profit business intervention instead of a health and social need for all females irrespective of location, status and background.

CHI-Pads for Girls operate on the hypothesis that if we promote the design of local and affordable sanitary pads accessible to all school going girls irrespective of status and locations; we will provide a structural incentive for increasing girls’ retention in schools. Design to bridge the existing for-profit business modules attributed to the production of sanitary pads in Liberia, CHI-Pads for Girls is empowering small women cooperative groups in the productions of locally made sanitary pads as a viable pathway to curbing the challenges of affordability while sustaining these women cooperatives.

CHI-Pad for Girls kits are made from local or reusable textiles and provide effective protection for 12+ months (menstrual cycles), making them low cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. Design using an “all-in-one” pad that buttons securely into a pair of underwear and folds conveniently for easy storage before washing after use, CHI-Pad for Girls are addressing girls’ and women’s menstrual management needs to help increase females retention in school, improve their health, and contribute to their communities.

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Additional Questions

Who is your customer?

Girls and Women

What problem does this idea/product solve or what market need does it serve?

Anecdotal evidences suggest that a girl absent from school due to menstruation for four days of every 28 day cycle loses minimum learning days, the equivalent to two and a half weeks of learning every school term. This means that many girls in slum and under-privileged communities are more likely to skip school when they have their periods or simply drop out completely. CHI-Pads for Girls promotes the design of local and affordable sanitary pads accessible to all school going girls irrespective of status and locations, thereby providing a structural incentive for increasing girls’ retention in schools, improve their health, and contribute to their communities. By training and empowering small women cooperative groups in the productions of locally made sanitary pads, CHI-Pad for Girls are addressing girls’ and women’s menstrual management needs in an affordable and accessible way.

What attributes will make this idea/product successful? Why do you believe that those features will create success?

CHI-Pad for Girls is design to break the existing for-profit business modules attributed to the production of sanitary pads across Liberia. Our pads are design for heavy flow, soft & comfortable, affordable, reusable, easy to fold & carry with illustrated use & care instructions included which means that girls everywhere irrespective of locations and status can have their menstrual health management needs care for. Design using an “all-in-one” pad that buttons securely into a pair of underwear and folds conveniently for easy storage before washing after use, CHI-Pad for Girls are addressing girls’ and women’s menstrual management needs to help increase females retention in school, improve their health, and contribute to their communities

Explain how you (your team) will execute to make this idea/product successful? What gives you (your team) an advantage over others already in the market or new to this market?

CHI Pads for Girls sustain the belief that empowerment is not something we do for people; it is something we do with them. Hence, CHI Pads for Girls team have adopted a community led entry module that places the community and people we serve at the heart of the issue and its solution. Through well articulated community entry modules meeting with leadership teams at the community level, CHI Pads for Girls team are ensuring the successful launch of the Pads for Girls Kit using the people affected by the problem.
CHI-Pad for Girls kits are made from local or reusable textiles and provide effective protection for 12+ months (menstrual cycles), making them low cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. This set us apart from a myriad of for-profit competitors. By investing in training girls and women on pad production from local materials, we are bridging the existing for-profit business modules attributed to the production of sanitary pads in Liberia. This substantiates our brand as Liberia’s first locally branded, most accessible and affordable sanitary pads producer and gives us leverage over our existing competitors.
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Team Leader

Naomi Tulay-Solanke

Cuttington University Graduate school of Professional Studies

Naomi Tulay-Solanke is the Founder and Executive Director of Community Health Initiative (CHI), a non-governmental organization that is providing healthcare and social services in underprivileged and slum communities in Liberia. Naomi have nurtured a career in female advocacy with a humble interest in working with underprivileged youths and slum dwellers in hard to reach communities through the provision of basic health and social services especially to women and girls. She holds a Master Degree in Public Health with emphasis in Community Health. As an entrepreneur, Naomi is the owner of Winnie's Pharmaceutical Store which provides over the counter drugs and medical supplies to underprivileged and slum communities.